Rippopotamus

Rippo History, an abridged version… Formed in Amherst MA in 1990 emerged from the 5 College music scene that also generated alternative rock heroes such as Dinosaur Jr, The Pixies and Buffalo Tom, the band blended rap, rock, funk and jazz elements which quickly drew a local following and produced the bands first record " 'N Din Som". Quickly becoming local headliners the band returned to the studio and released 1991's "R House", which topped local charts, sold well and created a buzz about the band around the region. The band also got a reputation for it's extremely high energy live show, which caused it to pack local venues. In 1992 the band became the first local band to be included at UMASS' Spring Concert and shared the stage with many alternative rock luminaries including Mighty, Mighty Bosstones, Fishbone and The Beastie Boys. The band also began appearing at colleges and clubs in VT,CT and RI. In 1993, realizing that a central location was crucial to capitalize on their success, Rippopotamus moved to Boston MA and expanded on their reputation as a great live band. The band appeared at festivals, clubs and colleges around the region, including trips to NYC, ME and NH. When 1994 rolled around the band released it's follow up to "R House" called "Butter", which sold well and was distributed by Off Beat Records. The band also received their first nomination for a Boston Music Award and began receiving press accolades and college radio airplay. 1995 was another period of expansion for the band, selling out many of the larger venues around New England and appearing in PA and NY state. The band was also nominated for 5 Boston Phoenix/WFNX Readers Poll Awards. In 1996, Rippopotamus arrived as a true player on the Northeast Region Scene, winning a Boston Music Award, appearing at LaBatt's Funk Fest in Montreal Canada and having it's music selected to be theme music for a season of MTV's 'Singled Out' Television program. The band also recorded it's follow up to 1994's "Butter" during the fall. In 1997 Rippopotamus released it's fourth record "Swim". The record was distributed nationally and received great reviews in the press including The Boston Globe, Bass Player Magazine, Boston Herald and more. The record received considerable radio airplay on 155 college and alternative rock radio stations across the country resulting in small tours around the region and a return to Canada. Capitalizing on the success of "Swim" Rippopotamus appeared at the 1998 Montreal Jazz Festival and on CBS TV's "Wild, Wild Web" TV Program (the band's first national TV appearance). In 1999 the band opened the year at Boston's world famous 'First Night Festival' and closed it with a weeklong stint at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville club in Key West FL. In between the band managed a couple of tours of the Midwest. The band also returned to the studio to work on the follow up to "Swim". 2000 started with the band releasing it's fifth record a 3 song EP featuring the catchy single "Superstar" and continuing to tour and perform around the region. In 2001 Rippopotamus won an Boston Phoenix/WFNX Readers Poll Award and after 11 years of remarkable work announced the band would release a final record called "R.I.P" in June play it's final shows. In August the band said farewell to it's fans at a series of final shows in and around the Boston area.